I just got a call from a bride that the bottom tier of the cake I delivered last night was, "burned, almost black." I was shocked. I would have noticed that! She said that no one said anything to her during the reception because they did want to ruin her day, but a cake server went up to her sister and said that the bottom layer was so burned that they couldn't even serve it. The bride said they couldn't serve the bottom tier and she has 1/2 left that she would bring back to me if need be.

She then proceeded to tell me that the hall manager (who recommended me to her) said to her, "Apparently we should be more careful about who we recommended." Obviously I'm floored and sick to my stomach.

So, I went and dug her cake scraps out of the trash. NOT burned. If fact they're still nice and moist. Then I called the hall manager. She said she had not heard anything about this. Had not even spoken to the bride yet, and did not make the above comment. I asked her to find the server who served the cake and to see if they did say they couldn't serve the cake, and to find out how many people actually attended her reception.

Here's a few facts about her cake. She said she needed 125 servings for her reception. But the cake design she wanted was too big, so she ordered the 200 servings needed to do the design. (This includes the groom's cake, which she said they didn't even cut into.) So she ordered 75 servings too many. She wants a refund for the bottom tier, which is coincidentally 80 servings.

Some questions I have are:

If the bottom layer was bad and they needed to feed the guests, why didn't they cut the groom's cake?

How does she intend to prove the cake is burned and almost black when she brings it back, or am I calling her bluff by telling her to bring it to me?

They served 1/2 the bottom layer even though it was burned?

She said she will bring the cake layer back Monday. I need to be ready to decide what to do by then.

I don't own a shop so my advice may be way off but I would check it and if it's burnt then refund 80 (# of servings for that layer) X whatever you charged per serving. I would also think about doing a discount for a future cake.

If it's not burnt then too bad for them. No refund!

I would also contact the venue and let them know if it was not burnt. Take pictures just in case.

I'm not a professional cake decorator but in my opinion you should call her bluff and have her bring you back the "burned" tier. That has to be bogus because how would you not know you had burned some of the cake? I always know if I have overbaked or underbaked my cakes and I just started doing this so I'm sure with your experience there is no way you would not have known.

Sounds like she went over her wedding budget and is trying to get some money back into her pocket.

I would have her bring the cake to the hall today with the contact person there so that all parties are involved can conferm (or disprove) the cake is burnt. If it is there should be no problem if it isn't then b she will not show up. Chances are that you are not the only person she is trying to get money back from.

Did she get what she contracted for? I am assuming-yes.If moisture is a complaint then you need to see the cake today right now before it dries out any further. I would call her bluff by saying that you called the venue and spoke to so-and-so to find out what might have happened to your cake and they don't recall anything of the kind. Remind her that you advised her of the servings and that she would have too much cake. Tell her how to freeze her cake leftovers so she can enjoy them next week or next month..LOL This is just too much!

I agree with the others and I definitely wouldn't want to give her til Monday. Who knows what she might do to try to prove it was burned. It does sound an awful lot like buyers remorse. I mean, how could you, the cake decorator not have known it was burnt but the serving staff did?! Just doesn't add up in my book! Good luck and let us know what transpires!

I agree with Kelly, you need to do whatever you need to do to see that cake right now. I think YOU should go to the venue and talk to the servers if possible, maybe even get their phone numbers and call them.

I don't know how much you charge, but refunding that bottom tier would run me close to $400 and I would want to be 100% it was a warranted refund.

If you are certain beyond certain that the cake was not burned and everything was fine, then you have someone just having buyers remorse. In which case, I would still just say, I've thoroughly looked into your claim, I've examined and sampled the cake, discussed it with the banquet staff and managers as well as the kitchen staff and this claim is unsubstantiated. I appreciate your feedback, however, you are not due a refund. You cake was delivered on time, decorated as ordered, and with the same delicious flavors noted in your contract. Best Wishes.

I'm not a professional cake decorator, but this is exactly the reason I'm afraid to do things for people other than friends or family. It definitely sounds like she is fishing for a refund or partial refund. You would have absolutely noticed if the cake was burnt before you decorated it. I would not meet her alone. I would ask the manager of the venue and the cake server to meet you with the bride and have her bring the cake. But, I wouldn't wait!! If the neither of the parties are available, I would get at least statements from the manager and the cake server before memories fade. My guess is once she finds out the manager and cake server would be at the meeting, she will suddenly be unavailable. Good luck and keep us posted!! Be firm!! Your work is always beautiful!! Schmulie65

Sounds like a scam......call her bluff....if you have the cake scraps, meet with her, the hall manager and anyone else who handled the cake after you delivered it....and lay it all out on the table. Do it today.....don't wait....

I just got a call from a bride that the bottom tier of the cake I delivered last night was, "burned, almost black."

ok what? Excuse me but, As the cake decorator how would you not know if the cake was burned to the point if it almost being black???? Im sorry but thats obsurd! As others have pointed out, this story does not add up, she obviously lied about that persons comment, why wouldnt she also have the nerve to make up a lie about the cake. I am sorry you have to deal with that. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do to con other people! You need to take the bull by the horns and make her prove with out a doubt that the cake was that severly burned. I just dont know how she thinks you wouldnt have noticed something like that. No way would I refund some ones money if the story didnt add up. I have seen how cunning people can be so I question every thing, I would not let some one pull one over on me if I thought thats what they were trying to do. good luck keep us posted on what happens I am curious to see what happens

I am just a hobby baker, and looking at the pictures of your beautiful cakes, you don't seem like the kind of person who would send out an inferior product. I have one question, Did you have your boots on when she was ranting, cause it seems to me like the BS was a little deep. I agree with everyone else, make her show it to you now, confront her with her lie about the manager, who knows what else she is bs-ing about.

I would have her bring the cake to the hall today with the contact person there so that all parties are involved can conferm (or disprove) the cake is burnt. If it is there should be no problem if it isn't then b she will not show up. Chances are that you are not the only person she is trying to get money back from.

Exactly,today today not tomorrow,if she says she is not available then tell her you cannot deal with her complaint after today.Make her meet you at the hall.Chances are if she is shamed in front of the manager,you have also saved him his own battle with her,as she won't bre able to complain there was no tissue in the toilets so she wants a refund for the venue too. She sounds like a FRAUD.

Yes, I would see the cake today...somehow I get the feeling some unaware Aunt/Uncle/Cake Fairy will mistakenly throw the cake out into a black hole that was whoops picked up by an imaginary garbage man, and you will never see it on Monday!

I'm not a professional cake decorator but in my opinion you should call her bluff and have her bring you back the "burned" tier. That has to be bogus because how would you not know you had burned some of the cake? I always know if I have overbaked or underbaked my cakes and I just started doing this so I'm sure with your experience there is no way you would not have known.

Sounds like she went over her wedding budget and is trying to get some money back into her pocket.

I think you should stand your ground and make her prove it.

I'm in total agreement with this poster's comments. Make her prove it and don't let her browbeat you into giving her a discount. Someone said to give her a discount on a future cake - WHAT??? No way. Sounds like she's trying to get some of her wedding money back that she spent by being greedy and over-extending herself. That's HER problem, not yours.

Sounds like a scam to me. There's no way you wouldn't know if you burned the cake - especially to the extent she's claiming.

I have never come across a person like this, but ladies, don't you agree that a clause in our contracts stating that all matters with regard to a cake must be dealt with during the first 24-48 hours after the event?

Gimme a break, what baker wouldn't realize the cake was burned as soon as it was turned out of the pan? No discount. No apology. No nothing. Other than cross her off of a list of any future cake making. Geez, what the?!?!

I just spoke with the head banquet lady again. She found the cake server and said that the server served the cake to the head table and the bride immediately said, "This cake is burnt, box it up, I'm returning it." Not at all like the bride said that she didn't know last night, and that they approached her sister.

I was wondering how she didn't know last night, yet told them not to throw it away that she needed to bring it back to me.

The head banquet lady also called the bride and left a message about wanting to talk to her about it.

Be careful with this one ! I'd bet my last dollar she would be the type to bake another one, burn it, and bring in a small piece. Make sure your icing is on it, and do it today. She wouldn't expect it today. There has to be a reason she needs extra time to show you. And like everyone else says, call her on it in front of the very people she claims made the statements. Their reputation is on the line , also. Sending you good luck !